03CICYM
14/1/07
6:33 pm
Page 170
Actually, I’m surprised this doesn’t happen more often. Because, when you think about it, writing is a pretty scary business. Consider, for example, this simple sentence: I love tennis.
Perfectly clear, isn’t it? Except that it may give the impression that what I love is watching tennis on TV. So I should probably write: I love playing tennis.
Yes, that’s better. Hmm, but maybe it feels a bit weak … I absolutely love playing tennis.
Nah. Don’t like absolutely – something rather forced about it. Perhaps this might be better: I don’t like tennis; I love it.
Yes, that’s great. No, hang on, just realised I’ve nicked it from that really rubbish song that 10cc did back in the 70s – you remember, ‘I don’t like reggae, I love it’ … So that’s no good. Ha! What about this … For the last 10 years, I’ve been conducting a passionate love affair. With tennis.
Or: For me, tennis isn’t just a game, it’s …
170 PERSUASIVE WORDS AT WORK